GHANA (9 February)
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. The aggregate output of cereals in 2004 is provisionally estimated at 1 930 000 tonnes, which is slightly below 2003 and close to the five-year average. Cocoa production in 2004/05 is not expected to reach the record level of 2003/04, due to less favourable weather conditions. However, the relatively high cocoa price on the international market should benefit the estimated 1.6 million peasant farmers who produce most of the country’s cocoa.
The crises in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia have resulted in an influx of third country nationals in transit through Ghana to their home countries, Ivorians and Liberians seeking asylum and the return of Ghanaian nationals.